This is the hardest part of being a parent, doctor, or for the child, that is getting the evaluation of ADHD or Anxiety or any mental illness right the first time. Determining a diagnosis of either ADHD or anxiety in children can be difficult, as symptoms such as poor concentration and restlessness are hallmarks of both. Many children with anxiety are also diagnosed with ADHD and vice versa.

It is important to note that the lack of focus and restlessness among children with any anxiety disorder is usually not from boredom, but from specific thoughts or response to a situation. If you suspect your child to have ADHD or anxiety, the following information may help you.

The Challenge of Making an Accurate Diagnosis

Firstly, don’t try to diagnose your child. Even if the symptoms are obvious, the underlying cause may not be. Identifying the prominent symptoms alone leads to making superficial assessments that may put a child at risk of being diagnosed inaccurately.

There have been times when a child has been diagnosed with ADHD when in fact they really should have been diagnosed with anxiety and treated appropriately.

Anxiety can cause restlessness in a child, which can quite often be interpreted mistakenly as hyperactivity or inattentiveness. As a child’s anxiety levels increase, their actions may become quick, irrational and impulsive, thereby making the parent believe that their child has ADHD.

For professionals to develop the most suitable treatment plan, a thorough and accurate diagnosis must be done first. A parent would be wise to choose a professional who is willing to delve deeper into the signs and symptoms exhibited by their child, thus coming up with the most accurate diagnosis.

Identifying Primary or Secondary Conditions

Correct diagnosis is essential for effective targeting of treatment methods.

A key factor for professionals and parents is determining whether the ADHD and/or anxiety is a primary or secondary condition. This is a “which came first – the chicken or the egg?” conundrum. Which is the cause, and which is the symptom?

Childhood can be a very anxious time for many children, and their many irrational fears may generalize to levels that constantly affect their attitude and behavior. If a child’s level of anxiety appears ever-present and is seen every day, then their anxiety is likely a primary condition.

If one or both parents of a child are suffering from any anxiety disorder then it is more likely that the child’s anxiety has a genetic or learned component, and hence likely to be classed as primary. When anxiety is determined to be a primary condition, treatment will by necessity focus on reducing and overcoming that anxiety, and associated triggers.

Conversely, symptoms of anxiety may have developed because of the struggle to deal with ADHD symptoms. Any negative feedback they feel due to their ‘problem’ makes them even more anxious. In this scenario, the anxiety symptoms will abate as the ADHD symptoms are effectively dealt with.

Therefore, the professional must come up with a treatment plan that is targeted towards the child’s ADHD symptoms while also helping them deal with their emotional and social problems.

Finding the Best Treatment Plan

Treatment for children with ADHD, anxiety or both may include medications, individual therapy, behavioral therapy and family counseling. It is always wise to ask for a second opinion if you are not happy with either the diagnosis or suggested treatment, before finally deciding which treatment to go with.

Rely on professional help but recognize that approaches to any mental or emotional issues can be very subjective and solutions will differ between practitioners.

Another crucial point to remember is that medications have side effects and if possible, the natural route is a safer option. Some ADHD prescriptions are believed to have caused as many problems as they have solved. Ask your doctor for full details.

Adults of today was a child decades ago. While today many express concerns of over diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children, many also acknowledge the under diagnosing of adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Adults with ADHD often realize that they have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder when their own child is diagnosed. Looking through the list of symptoms, the parent often sees similarities in their own present or past behavior.

Many people don’t associate ADHD with adults. They think it is simply a disorder affecting children only. ADHD actually affects many adults and if you were diagnosed in childhood, it is possible that you still have some of the symptoms. It is also very probable that many adults have ADHD, which was not diagnosed at an earlier time.

Understanding the symptoms and the solutions may prove to be very beneficial. Realizing why you act or react to events on your daily life can greatly help improve your state of mind and quality of life.

There is a huge variety of symptoms for adult ADHD and they may affect everything from your career to your personal relationships.

Becoming educated on the topic is the first step. After you acknowledge and understand the challenges, you will be able to start recognizing and taking advantage of your strong points while learning how to cope and compensate for any weaknesses.

For any adult, life can seem to be one continuous balancing act. We all feel overwhelmed and disorganized sometimes; however, if you find yourself struggling to be punctual, constantly forgetting things, completely disorganized and overwhelmed by your responsibilities, you may have ADHD.

Understanding ADHD in Adults

Many adults go life undiagnosed and resign themselves to thinking “this is just me; this is just my unorganized way of living.”

Many adults who have ADHD have been labelled as a dreamer, a troublemaker, a slacker or someone who goofs off. Many, sadly have low self-esteem because they grew up feeling or being called “stupid,” and got into trouble for talking too much or seeming not to pay attention.

Symptoms of ADHD in Adults

Many of us associate hyperactivity, disorganization or inability to concentrate with ADHD. In adulthood, some of this restless behavior may also present itself in forms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, anxiety, and/or an inability to calm the mind.

These behaviors are all representative of constant engagement with little respite, and feeling unable to switch off or relax without resorting to drugs or medication. Because of this stress is also common. ADHD symptoms may also show as having low self-esteem, difficulty controlling anger, depression and mood swings.

Patients may have difficulty in keeping long term relationships whether in their personal life or at work. They can easily get frustrated and bored with their life and always be searching for something more.

They may develop anxiety problems and are prone to different forms of addiction, such as alcohol. They have difficulty finding and especially keeping a job and can’t stay in one place of employment for any length of time. The grass always looks greener over the fence. New jobs quickly become unsatisfying and fault found with bosses and coworkers.

Myths and Facts Regarding ADD / ADHD in Adults

There is a common misconception that adult ADHD is no more than a lack of willpower. Some feel that those with ADHD could focus on their tasks if they really wanted to apply themselves.

The line of thinking is that as we all show some of these symptoms at some point, that anyone who tried hard enough could overcome them if they wanted to. This is a simplistic attitude to a problem that can be very complex.

ADHD can affect anyone, regardless of their intelligence level.

ADHD when left untreated may lead to increasing emotional, psychological, and social problems, therefore, some form of treatment, whether it be medication, management or therapy will be helpful. Anyone who shows chronic symptoms should seek diagnosis, instead of letting these symptoms detract from their quality of life.

Your brain is a powerful thing. Take time to read up on it when you get an opportunity it will blow your mind. Just think of all the health issues that normal people have on a day to day basis. I could be here for days, the list would be so long. Don’t blame your focus and concentration on anyone else. Take full responsibility for your own mental issues.

“I think I have ADHD.” Blaming your lack of focus and concentration on actual conditions people suffer from is not the way to go. While it’s not completely far-fetched to assume you may actually be suffering from some kind of mental issue given your inability to focus in stressful situations or concentrate during a business meeting, there are some things you could change in your daily life that could potentially improve your concentration. So refrain from calling your doctor about ADHD just yet and try these tricks first, because it’s unlikely that you belong to the 4.5 percent of adults who have the condition.

Are Your Brain Composed Of Muscle Tissue?

While your brain is not exactly composed of muscle tissue, you could think of the mind as a muscle and through active training, you can strengthen its functionality, specifically when it comes to focus and concentration. The exercises, tricks, and lifestyle alterations listed below are great methods by which you can improve your concentration and focus and a daily and long-term bases.

1. Meditation

No, it’s not only for hipsters and Buddhists, meditation is something that everyone can take part in and for good reason too. Mindful meditation has been shown repeatedly to strengthen mental capacities and increase your attention span.

One study showed that 140 participants saw a significant increase in their attention span after just eight weeks of mindful meditation training. What’s more, you don’t have to devote a lifetime to this activity to see its benefits, after just four days of 10 to 20 minute meditation throughout the day you can improve your concentration to a great extent.

Mindfulness is something you can also practice throughout the day to help with not getting distracted. For instance, when you’re eating you can make it an active experience versus a passive activity, such as eating while watching television.

Concentrate on your chewing and experience all the flavors and textures. This sort of conscious thinking will lead it being less likely that you get easily distracted. Think in the now and be present when you feel yourself becoming occupied with other tasks.

2. Make a List

Everyone’s probably hear this one already, but it works, seriously. Increasing your ability to focus can be significantly influenced by something as simple as making a list of the things you have to do. Director of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training Program at Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, Simon Rego, PsyD suggests composing a list prioritizing the important tasks first then creating a serape less urgent list.

Creating a list will not only prioritize your activities and deadlines but will prevent you from multitasking. Research time and time again has proven that despite our beliefs most people cannot multitask.

We are only able to tackle one issue at a time and trying to do multiple things at once will only decrease the value of work for each task and lead to you being easily distracted. Stay focused and concentrate on the first thing on your list.

3. Wiggle Your Feet

Ok this one sounds weird but it works and it’s one of the things Olivia Fox Cabane, author of The Charisma Myth suggests doing. Cabane suggests that we can often tune out during a conversation or become completely distracted during something important.

We look for some kind of instant gratification and distraction like a new email or text. Cabane suggests that to avoid such instances take a moment and mindfully concentrate on your toes, wiggling them around. When you’re done, you will be able to handle some of your tasks with better focus.

4. Limit Distractions

It’s not just the emails and texts that can be the cause for your inability to focus, other small distraction limit attention span, so it’s important to seclude yourself form these diversions.

Our inability to disconnect from easily available tools like the internet, computers, and smart phones can be the main cause of our lacking attention capacities. Author Mel Robbins suggests leaving the phone out of the room and when you feel yourself getting distracted or unable to concentrate and start something just count to five and launch right into whatever it is your doing.

It’s that simple. Close the computer, leave the phone somewhere else, meditate in the morning, wiggle those toes, and get to work.

Mental Health is something to think about now, because what you do early in life can catch up with you mentally in the later years of your existents. We take things for granted a lot of time when everything is going so good and we make bad choices in life changes over night.

How much have you thought of your mental health today? Sure, you’ve thought about your physical health, because you are easily reminded of it by looking in the mirror, but chances are mental health doesn’t cross your mind very often.

But it should be emphasized, at least if you wish to thoroughly enjoy life for all its worth. If you’re young, and haven’t entered the world of work peer pressure may take its toll on you. But being faced with the task of performing at your peak day after day, is another ballgame altogether. Both can take a toll on your mental health, which is why it’s important to perform key actions that can help solidify your mental health.

Be sure to perform these actions:

Sleep On Schedule

We know, work and school can be tough, making sleep the scapegoat. However, this is one of the worst things you can do, and lack of sleep will only hasten decline of your mental health. If you’ve ever had a poor night of sleep, you know the negative alteration to mood and performance it has; worsening the situation. As much as possible, strive for a minimum 7.5 hours of sleep every night- go to sleep at a time that leaves you enough hours for rest. Nobody likes a grouch in the morning.

Spend Time Outdoors

Ever notice when things get overwhelming how we are drawn to the beauty of being outdoors? Well, as it turns out, Mother Nature knows best, as spending more time outdoors translates to improved mental health. When you feel like you need a break, there’re no better place to take it than outside. Plus, a leisurely walk outdoor can reduce stress, and boost your endorphin levels, key to keeping a level head.

Love And Be Loved

A fairly common trait amongst depression sufferers is the feeling that they are alone in this world. This could stem from many things, but commonly is related to some form of rejection, or not fitting into socially accepted norms.

Maybe you have a sibling who is the clear favorite of your parents, or maybe you just experienced a break up. Get a dog! Dogs are undoubtedly (ok, not starting a dog vs. car war!) the most loving companion you can ever have. Of course, we’re not advocating that you forego your human companions, but pets are darn good as well!

Laugh Heartily

Someone once equated laughter with exercise, since they are both profoundly good for your mental and biological health. Though there is no doubt that laughter can’t replace exercise (get your lazy butt to the gym!), that’s not to say you can’t enjoy life to the fullest. Laughter, similar to exercise, reduces stress hormone levels and elevates levels of endorphins, those mood elevating neurochemicals that are so crucial to our mental health. So when things look gloomy, just din in and laugh about it.

Exercise And Meditate

No list of actions that promote mental health would be complete without including exercise. After all, exercise is the fix to many things that ail us, including mental disease. Endorphins help optimize your mental health, as well as warding off chronic lifestyle conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. While these diseases can negatively affect the brain itself, they can inadvertently contribute to poor mental health, either from exacerbating stress of negatively affecting brain chemistry.

Conclusion

Do not take your mental health state for granted. Given, many people have never grappled with depression or any other form of mental illness, but a proportion could have been prevented altogether with a little preventative action.

ADHD is evaluated differently in children depending on the health professional they are seeing at the time. Many children are pass from Doctor to Doctor in nothing is getting done. Many of the children are being misunderstood by their parents and doctors.

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Sadly, many children who never seem to listen, have difficulty sitting still, or not follow instructions well, are often labelled as being undisciplined or lazy.

There are also children who seem to blurt out inappropriate comments at the most inappropriate times, and they are often labeled as troublemakers or criticized for their behavior. Quite often, their behavior is a clear indication that ADHD may be responsible.

Typically, those suffering with the disorder have a difficult time staunching their spontaneous responses. They may be abrupt in their speech, movement and attention level. Research shows that the symptoms and signs generally begin to appear before 7 years of age.

It is common for there to be difficulty distinguishing between what is considered normal child behavior and ADHD, as some children are definitely just rude and naughty. Some parents are also willing to lay blame on ADHD rather than their own parenting faults.

However, there are children who do need help regarding ADHD and a parental punishment won’t fix the situation. If symptoms appear to be present across all situations: during play, at school and at home, it may be time to investigate further.

Every child has their hyperactive moments, and it is normal to occasionally daydream during class, fidget at the dinner table or be forgetful on occasion. If you are noticing impulsivity, inattention and hyperactivity on a frequent or consistent basis, these may certainly be signs of ADHD.

ADHD can greatly impact how well your child is able to learn and concentrate, as well as how they play or interact with others. Recognizing the symptoms and signs of ADHD can help you and your family adjust accordingly.

ADHD Symptoms

There are 3 main symptoms of ADHD:

1. Hyperactivity
2. Inattentiveness
3. Impulsivity

Not all children display all three symptoms. Those who present mainly with inattentive behavior may go undiagnosed longer as they typically spend time alone, daydream and not necessarily act out or cause problems with others.

Specific symptoms, which are subsets of the above broad symptoms, may include:

” inability to follow instructions
” constantly interrupting
” frequently touching things and zooming around from one area to another
” difficulty listening
” difficulty sitting still
” have a hard time focusing on tasks they feel are boring
” non-stop talking
” clashing with other kids regarding following the rules
” underperforming in school
” zoning out or spacing out
” daydreaming

Symptom Combinations of ADHD

It is important to note that children with ADHD may certainly be impulsive, inattentive and hyperactive, however, some children may be capable of paying attention, yet still be impulsive and hyperactive.

Other children may be inattentive, yet display no impulsivity or hyperactivity. So, there are combinations of symptoms. A diagnosis of ADHD does not require all symptoms to be present.

Common Myths Regarding ADHD in Children

There are many myths regarding ADHD and often diagnosed children get a bad reputation. Not every child with ADHD is hyperactive or a poor listener. Sometimes the disorder presents itself in an under active child who seems unmotivated, inattentive or ‘spacey’ and sits quietly alone.

Another myth is that children with ADHD could simply behave better if they wanted to or taught to, which is simply not the case.

Yet another common myth is that the child will eventually “grow out of it.” In fact, many symptoms of ADHD carry on into the teen years and adulthood.

Anxiety and depression has symptoms similar to and along the lines of stress related situations. You don’t want to second guest yourself in this situation. It’s perfectly normal to feel anxious or depressed from time to time in response to life’s stressors. However when these feelings become prolonged, disproportionate or apparent for no significant reason and are affecting normal daily functioning, they need to be addressed. Thankfully diagnosis and treatment methods have come a long way, with many public health campaigns working towards bringing mental illness ‘out of the shadows’.

The co-occurrence of anxiety and depression is a noted feature of these disorders, while behavioral and emotional symptoms may differ within the two, the fact remains they are both an unnatural and unwelcome state of mental health. Characterized by a constant overwhelming state of fear or worry, anxiety can be debilitating too in its physical manifestations. The symptoms of depression may be similar with unrelenting feelings of sadness or despair.

The exact cause of such mental illness is still unclear; however changes in brain chemistry, genetic factors, and hormone function are all believed to play a role. Irrespective of the cause, mental illness requires and generally responds to professional treatment.

Best Methods of Treating Anxiety and Depression

Our understanding of mental illness has evolved over time, yet it still presents certain difficulties. Diagnostically speaking depression and anxiety primarily affects the way an individual thinks, feels and in most cases subsequently behaves; therefore we generally rely upon patients to identify these changes themselves and seek help. In some case family members or close friends may be able to identify vulnerable individuals and assist in requesting attention.

Once diagnosed however treatment can be quite successful using a variety of approaches; the most common of which are psychological therapies or ‘talking therapies’. Such therapies are generally administered by a qualified psychologist and involve either behavior modification (Cognitive Behavior Therapy or CBT) or examination of intrapersonal and interpersonal patterns and behaviors.

Generally work will be done to identify and address key triggers and ways of managing future events. Such therapies are often combined with a focus on improving nutrition and encouraging regular exercise, which itself can actively promote a healthy mental state. Indeed, a safe and effective first step towards self-empowerment is taking control over one’s diet. The benefits are both psychological and physiological.

Reducing or eliminating spikes caused by sugar-laden foods and stimulants, such as excess coffee, cigarettes, etc., will help in reducing the debilitating feelings associated with general anxiety.

Young people and children unfortunately are just as vulnerable to mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. While often harder to detect; once diagnosed applied therapies specifically designed for children can usually assist the child in living a happier and more fulfilling childhood.

A happier childhood better prepares the child for dealing with the stresses of teen years and young adulthood. The healthy and safe transition of young adulthood enables the individual to prepare for and live a life feeling in control, empowered and able to deal with everyday challenges.

Finally the use of antidepressant medication may be required; this depends on the severity of the illness and is most often used in conjunction with psychotherapies. Antidepressants can be very effective in some situations and like any medical case; treatment is generally specifically tailored to suit the individual.